文摘
We introduce a class of gold nanomolecules exhibiting anisotropy as a major feature by reporting steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence and anisotropy measurements and in-depth theoretical analysis of energetics and optical response of a recently synthesized Auub>21ub>S(SAdm)ub>15ub> nanomolecule (SAdm = adamantanethiol). Starting from single-crystal X-ray data showing that Auub>21ub>S(SAdm)ub>15ub> exhibits a symmetry-broken structure, we unambiguously demonstrate how this translates into a striking anisotropy of its properties, for example, of its (chiro)optical absorption spectrum of great promise for sensing, optoelectronic, and electrochemical applications, and argue about the abundance and general significance of this class of compounds.